Settlement between FTC, Intel could be in the works

Intel’s alleged anticompetitive dealings might not cost it another fine or further legal action—at least not in the United States. The chipmaker announced late yesterday afternoon that it’s working on a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Here’s the press release in full (yes, it’s one of those short and sweet ones):

Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Intel Corporation today filed a joint motion to suspend administrative trial proceedings while the parties consider potential settlement of the case originally filed by the FTC on Dec. 16, 2009. The motion opens a window through July 22, 2010, during which time the parties will review and discuss a proposed consent order. The terms of the proposed consent order are confidential and Intel will make no additional public comment on the matter at this time.

Those alleged antitrust shenanigans have already cost Intel quite a bit of money: first around $1.44 billion from the European Commission, then $1.25 billion as a settlement to AMD. Now that AMD and Intel have effectively kissed and made up, however, the FTC might have a harder time building a strong case against Intel.

– Paying OEMs to only sell Intel : coupla million a year
– Paying EU 1.44 billion, but get to say you don’t admit you did anything wrong.
– Paying AMD 1.25 billion, but get to say you don’t admit you did anything wrong.
– Paying FTC xx billion, but get to say you don’t admit you did anything wrong. (still needs to happen, but it will)
– Having had a monopoly for over 10 years and already charged everything and everybody billions and billions of ‘Intel tax’ , priceless.

Also, if the FTC doesn’t settle and there is a court hearing, AMD could still be summoned. AMD only agreed to drop it’s own litigation.

cygnus1

9 years ago

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OneArmedScissor

9 years ago

Well that’s only slightly ambiguous.

But considering Intel’s willingness to dole out over $1 billion to get someone off their back, it’s more likely they’re just bending themselves over now instead of in court, not getting away free.